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Minister Salaries to stay the same

So with all the talk in Parliament about getting public servants to speak out more, three MPS in Parliament walked the talk today in Parliament by asking about their bosses’ pay.

MPs Vikram Nair, Alex Yam and Liang Eng Hwa raised in the Committee of Supply debates that ministerial salaries were discussed in the 2012 White Paper which recommended a review every five years. So since five years have passed already, was there any review and more importantly, any increase in ministers’ salaries anot?

A new review committee for the minister salaries was formed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2017. The committee had recommended a 9 percent increase. The committee — chaired by social services champion Gerard Ee — also recommended an adjustment to the ranges for the “national bonus” component of ministerial salaries, and raising the allowances for Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) from 15 to 20 per cent of election campaigns.

But Prime Minister Lee didn’t take up the suggestions because Singapore’s economy is transiting. So the gahmen wants to observe the changes of the economy and the world first.

DPM Teo said: “The Government has decided that since the scheme remains valid and the economy is still in transition, we will not change anything now and will maintain the current salary structure and level. We will review the matter again after five years or when it becomes necessary.”

So it just means the ministers never increase pay for almost 7 years already (PM Lee took a 36% pay cut in 2012). And still probably no increase for another five years until the next review of their salaries.